Zuihitsu-Random Notes about Judo by Ronald Desormeaux
Judo-Ron-83-Evolution, transformation and conciliation of
judoThe beginning years.In 1882, after several years of study at
different Ju- Jutsu Schools, (Tenjin, Kyoto, Sosuishitsu,
Shibukawa, Shitin, Yoshin, Yagyu, and Takenouchi), Professor Kano
made use of the special instructions received from the last three
imminent teachers in his geographical area (Iikido, Iso and
Fukuda)to start his own Kodokan Judo Institute in an annex of a
nearby temple. Over the first years, he and other colleagues
elaborated his teaching syllabus composed of kata and Randori.
During the years 1902-1910, the two basic principles of Jita Kyo ei
and Sei Ryoku Zen yo were consolidated and later expanded in 1910.
The Kodokan judo system was incorporated into the teaching
curriculum at various schools in Japan and it was a triumph of
Professor Kano over the other systems in existence in some regions.
Professor Kano wrote his philosophical concepts and presented them
to the community at large via various conferences dealing with
morality and ethics for self-development. Although the components
of various lectures and teachings on morality and ethics were
delivered by Professor Kano when the classes of students were
limited, they were later discarded for a greater concentration of
efforts and activities devoted to the Randori and Kata practices.
The first technical book about the skills development and the
principles was written with his approval by Masters Yokohama and
Yoshima under the title Judo Kyohan or instructional manual in the
early 1900. There were very little instructional manuals in those
early years, noteworthy is the publication pertaining to a branch
of the Tenshin Jutsu School system written by Yabe Kichi in 1904.
Thereafter, an English book pertaining to the development of Ju
Jutsu was written by Higashi and Handcock in 1905 and called Le Ju
Jutsu de Kano. Other books in French and other languages began to
be published thereafter and we had to wait until the Technical
Commission of the Kodokan produced its first illustrated version of
the Kodokan system in 1953. After trial and error, Professor Kano
made modification to the judogi in the period 1905-07 to give the
pants more protection to the knees and the vest adjusted for freer
movements and elbows support. Simultaneously the rules of
engagement and competition were revised in 1883-1922 and 1925 and
were applied by both the Kodokan institute and the Di Nihon
Butokukai of Kyoto who was responsible to standardise different
styles of teaching and set rules for the arrangements of matches
between schools.
During the following years, (1922-38),Professor Kano was
involved more and more in the establishment of the Olympic program
in Japan and devoted much time overseas studying other forms of
physical education and systems while promulgating the Kodokan Judo
system wherever he went. The daily administration of the Kodokan
was attended by a Council of peers and a governing body of
specialists. Judo as a sport became prominent and it was spread all
over the World by prominent Kodokan envoys until the 1950 when the
International Judo Federation was created and took the
responsibility to expand its influence and leadership.
Transformation into competitive judoSince the 1950, The IJF made
periodic changes to the ways and methods of conducting Judo Shiai.
Amongst those are: modifications to the combat and security zones,
the costumes dimensions, introduction of prohibited techniques,
rules for scoring with Waza ari, Koka and Ippon, penalties for
non-combat spirit, length of matches, golden score, weight
categories, judges functions, etc. The IJF also introduced the
World ranking list, increased the frequency of tournaments, the
categories of fighters such as seniors, veterans and masters. It
has now become customary to review the rules at specific times to
ensure a more visual and dynamic presentation of judo as a
spectator sport.The new sprint to make judo presentation more
interesting and challenging has contributed to ensure the
engagement of National Federation towards the selection and support
of the elite athletes. With this endorsement come the sponsorships
by various organisations and sponsors and the increasing support by
research groups and specialists who assist athletes with their
training needs and developments.It remains that for most of the
judoka, the basic training and development are conducted in remote
dojo settings under the watchful eyes of the Sensei. Thus the
importance of learning the basic principles and their correct
applications.Whatever be the objective, it can best be attained by
the highest or maximum effective use of mind and body for that
purposeby aiming at mutual welfare and benefit every member of the
society can live in peace and prosperity. Kano 1932
ReconciliationEmphasis to conduct more mobility drills.The
current tendencies in the training format for champion-judoka in
the making are oriented to build the stamina, the physical power,
endurance and the control of the opponent with the upper torso and
a srronger grip. The preparation of the kuzushi is often made at
close quarters and to take advantage of the leverage offered by a
strong Jigo-Tai position or from an immediate response to the
opponent launching into a direct and close range throw orKake.
Current training Randori preparation tends to emphasise this kind
of limited mobility by both players. There is an apparent under
usage of observation power and sensitivity acuity in the capture of
signals emanating from the preparatory displacements of the
opponent. It is my view that more mobility training exercises could
maximize the detection of the Debana and thus make greater use of
opportunities. Earlier detection of potentialities will take
advantage of the weaker positions presented by the opponent when
still in preparation. In compliance with the true spirit of judo,
it is recommended that we do not commit ourselves with preconceived
and pre-patterned techniques but make use of the opportunities and
act speedily and just on time. In this context, one must make use
of only sufficient energy or technical skills to accomplish the
task.
To increase the general mobility and ease of application of
techniques, there should be more light Randori practices in a
controlled way by ensuring the freer application and reception of a
throw or hold on. Judoka need to feel free to move about, try the
Kake at will and in all directions, thus profiting from every
moments. This kind of exercise is called the Yakusuku Renshu and is
known to improve the attack and defence opportunities by changing
positions, shifting the directions, using feint attacks, changing
grips and ensuring better control of the space while adapting to
new surroundings. When taking such advantages, act boldly without
hesitation or preconceived ideas and just let go of all other
preoccupations that may impede the purity of your action. Let me
add here, the seven maxims espoused by Sensei Mifune 10th Dan
(1883-1965) who wrote in his book Cannon of judo that you should
always take your opponent seriously: never lose self-confidence:
always maintain good posture: develop your speed and agility to
perform swift movements: perform all techniques with conviction and
energy: always take advantage of the opponents weaknesses: keep on
training and experimenting. This Yakusuku Renshu exercise is
considered as a good example of performing judo in a
semi-controlled situation leading to the more advance Randori
session and ultimately the Shiai. To say that you do judo is to
demonstrate that you are capable to cope with all sorts of changing
situations and that you can at will, make use of the most
appropriate response at the time. Keep in mind that nothing is ever
decided in advance, it is all in the making (Ki matte nai).
Professor Michel Novovich 9th Dan wrote in his book Zero Gravity
in 2003 that the Yakusuku is a most valuable exercise in that: once
the students have understood intellectually the basic principles of
each technique they try to perform, they should try to increase the
speed of its performance and accuracy. They must proceed to
transfer that knowledge into the dynamic plane by ways of mobility
exercises. Whenever possible, Tori and Uke must perform with the
maximum freedom and take advantage of the relative displacements
occurring when there is an increase moment of some weightlessness.
All Waza should be carried out with mutual consent. In so doing,
both players can benefit from the impulse and accuracy of the
application while the other is able to comprehend and analyse the
results of being thrown. (Cause and Effect).During the performance
of Yakusuku, it must be recognized that we must work with the basic
principles of physics which pertains to mass, volume, velocity,
positions of centers of gravity of each judoka and the formation of
a barycenter produced by the composite of the linkages gathered by
the two different opponents and the subsequent influence of the
action-reaction produced by the directions of the forces being
exercised by both players. ConclusionLearning Judo principles and
their practices must follow a logical process. There must be a
progression and the right time to escalate the experimentation. To
embark too hastily into the performance of hundreds of Uchi-Komi
(repetitive entries) and or Randori (free practices of sparing) may
well induce bad habits that will be difficult to correct in the
future.Remember that we can learn from all things around us.
Outside of us, all things become our teachers.Wishing you all a
good session.Ronald Desormeaux, Rokudan, Kodokan JudoJudo teacher,
University of Toronto, Hart House Dojo, October 2014
NB. This article contains copyrights and is registered with the
National Archives of Canada Electronic Data Bank. For further
information please contact: Ronald [email protected]
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